Sequencing of high intensity exercise bouts during a seven-day taper in trained cyclists

Abstract

While a wealth of current literature exists to support the effectiveness of a training taper on athletic performance, no study has compared the sequencing of high intensity exercise bouts during the taper period. Purpose: To examine the effect of different sequences of high intensity exercise bouts on cycling time trial performance during a seven-day taper. Methods: 10 well-trained male cyclists age 24-48 underwent a VO2peak test to determine Wmax. Subjects were then counter-balanced to 1 of 2 groups following an opposite taper week order (Taper 1-2 or Taper 2-1). Each taper week was preceded by a seven-day training volume increase to 120% of a subject’s self-reported weekly training volume. Both taper weeks utilized a 50% reduction in training volume. Taper 1 consisted of a H|L|H|O|L|L|T sequence (H=High Intensity, L=Low Intensity, O=Day Off). Taper 2 consisted of a H|L|H|O|L|H|T sequence. All participants returned to the lab for a 288kJ time trial (T) on the first and seventh day of each taper. Analysis between the tapers used a two-way repeating measures ANOVA, with an α-level of .05. Results: There was no main effect for time trial performance, HR response, or RPE vs. taper protocol. There was however a trend toward significance comparing pre and post time trial performance (p=0.11) as well as HR response (p=0.08) following both taper protocols. Conclusions: The different sequences of high intensity exercise bouts during a seven-day taper were not observed to make a statistically significant difference in time trial performance during a 288kJ laboratory time trial.